Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1887-06-17

you. nave friends in the town, and
am sure can get employment Of some
kind tiere. fused to live there years
and yars ago"
BY means Of a few questions he learned
that she was widow without any re-
lation' in the world. lie was deeply
teueha by her story.
What was your husbands namcT
asked Steele.
"Clrter," she said; George Carter"
Wait here moment" he said, and
went lp to hi, room.
H9wcnt to his desk and took out
some money. 81 50 seldom give" said
he, and can eiTord to be liberal to this
poor woman" lie took two ten-dolar
bills and started back 10 the kitchen.
She said her name was Carter. Car.
ter-Car'cr2 Where have l heard
what Carterl Ny Godl That was
the aamo of her husbanl. She said she
used to live here years ago. Ii must be
she. 1t is Kate Drew! 1t must bc!'
Steele shook like leaf. He seemed
young again. lie remembered her once
more as the sweet-faced girl, and the
heart which had been slumbering so
long. seemed to spring into new life.
He sat down on the stairs to compose
him,elf, and then started again for the
kitchen.
William" said Steele, when he
entered "herc is the key to my office. l
wish you would go there and bring me
packet you viii fird on my desk"
William fell in the trap without sus-
picion, and was off.
Steele seated himself in a dark corner
and looked at the woman He could
his old love in every feature of the
face lie was strangely excited and
knew not what to say.
you say you lived here once" he
began.
''fes, when was a girl" she said.
And bad fortune has ovcrtaken you
s.nc'. Perhaps you knew my cousin,
llen, John Stccc2
Yes" she said, 4 knew him. Is he
not here now2'
"No, poor fellow" said Steele, feel
ing guilty as he spoke the words, "ne is
dead.
'Deadp p and sho leaned her head on
her hand and wept.
Yes" said Steele, feeling like muir
dcrcr rs he sp kc, 'but none who knew
him were sorry for it. lie ha no good
in him, and livsl selfish life"
'Poor man!' said the sweet, sympo-
thing tones. CAT heart he was 20 ID. :"
Something scem.d to move Steele.
He got up and stoo by her chair. His
hand, by accident, touched her. l, sent
thrill through him that seemed to
make a new being of him.
"Katic," he said, "don't you know
me r.
She looked up, started, stood cree:
and got a good look into his face.
"Johnr she said, in a scared way,
and hid her face in her hands.
"Ycs, Katie" he said, 'ft is John.
I was thinking of you to-day, and it
seems as though heaven has sent you.' >
This is such a shock to me" and she
a. down again.
StceIc't heart was throbbing wildly,
and he quivcrcd with excitement.
Il am old, now Katic, and perhaps
awkwar in my speech, lut-I--I can't
hep what ] am saying. You have no
home. am rich, and you are the only
woman cv>r loved You are welcome
10 all have. NJ life has been very
lonely. With you ! would be happy.
You can't love me, Iknow, after all this
IA but do not ak thlt."
She arose as # 10 20. Poor stcclc's
heart seemed to e bursting. lie IN
consciously Tut forh lis arms and
touched her. With a sob she fell into
them and rested her head on his shoul-
der.
'Katicp' he cried in joy.
"Oh, John, how can Ispeakp
"Say something, Katic."
81 feel so guilty. l thought you
would never forgive me But-but-but
have"
But what, Katic?'
ooh, John, you know I loved you
then, and it was not my fault. l have
loved you all these long years. am so
happy, if you will but forgive me-"
Forgive you! Don't speak of that
again. You are homeless no longer,
Katie. l know what love is at least.
You are in my house now, and you
shall never go out of it except as my
wife"
~ JOhuY nut
"Yes, don't object. know it don't
sound well, but l don't care for that.
A preacher lives close. Won't you con-
sent9"
"But-"
"Please don't refuse, Katie"
"Well, l guess"
Just then William came in. Steele
nearly ran over him. "Hang the pa
persr he sald, as William offered them
to him.
''Here, William he said. as he came
down stairs putting on his ovcrcoat,
fix the front room and light fire.
Don't you hear, you idiotl Don't stand
looking, move about"
William did not know what was the
matter. He had just got the fire lighted
when Steele c,ma stumbling in with the
preacher. II Arkansas Traveller.
Prof. Baird say, that ii ;hcs sometimes